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Hiking the Doe Mountain Trail – Sedona, Arizona

If you’re looking for a short hike that packs a punch (and a little bit of elevation gain too), you might want to hike the Doe Mountain trail in Sedona, Arizona. The trail is short, with switchbacks that take you up to a large mesa with views for days! There is plenty of space at the top to find some solitude and have a picnic and just enjoy the red rock scenery of Sedona. I hiked this trail during one of my many Sedona trips and I highly recommend it. Here is everything you need to know about hiking Doe Mountain in Sedona, Arizona.

Doe Mountain Trail Sedona Arizona
Doe Mountain Hike – Sedona Arizona

Table of Contents

Doe Mountain – Parking and Fees:

The trailhead for the Doe Mountain hike shares its parking lot with the Bear Mountain trail (Bear Mountain is a tougher, longer hike that takes you up to the highest point in Sedona). I arrived here around 2pm on a Saturday during March and easily got a parking spot. You will need to have either a Red Rocks pass or an America the Beautiful pass to park here. There is a fee machine in the lot.

The trailhead is located in a pulloff parking area off of Boyton Canyon Road in Sedona and there are pit toilets in the parking lot.

Doe Mountain Trail Hike in Sedona Review
Parking Lot – Doe Mountain Hike – Sedona Arizona
Doe Mountain Hike in Sedona Review
Parking area for the trailhead – Doe Mountain Hike – Sedona Arizona

Doe Mountain Hike in Sedona – Quick Stats

Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Type: Out and back
Elevation Gain: 511 feet
Time Needed: About an hour, depending on how long you stay up at the top to explore and relax.
Dogs are allowed but there is some mild rock scrambling along a sketchy section. I probably wouldn’t bring my dog on this trail.
Difficulty: Moderate; don’t be fooled by the short distance. You will need to climb on all fours during this hike.

Doe Mountain Hike in Sedona Review
The start of the trail – Doe Mountain Hike – Sedona Arizona

Hiking Doe Mountain in Sedona

The trail starts off with a set of stairs that’ll lead you up to the trail, where you’ll being some switchbacks. Finding the trail is fairly easy, but I did get a little bit turned around at one point in the hike, so it helps to have a map on your phone. I use AllTrails.

Doe Mountain Hike in Sedona Review
You’ll encounter some stairs as you begin – Doe Mountain Hike – Sedona Arizona

There is a section of switchbacks which require some rock scambling that you’ll need to be on all fours to do. I really, really hate rock scrambling, and I always seem to manage to end up on a trail that has some, especially in Sedona (Cathedral Rock, anyone?!) This isn’t anything as bad as the scrambling on Cathedral Rock — so if you did Cathedral Rock, you can do Doe Mountain.

Doe Mountain Hike in Sedona Review
The trail gets a little rocky – Doe Mountain Hike – Sedona Arizona
Doe Mountain Hike in Sedona Review
As you go up the switchbacks, you’ll get some amazing views – Doe Mountain Hike – Sedona Arizona
Doe Mountain Hike in Sedona Review
Beautiful red rock scenery along the Doe Mountain trail in Sedona Arizona

You’ll know you’ve reached the top when everything levels out. The trail continues on to the backside of the mountain you just ‘climbed’ and once there, the views are amazing! The plateau up here is huge — you will definitely be able to find a nice spot to have a snack or just enjoy the scenery.

Doe Mountain Hike in Sedona Review
You’ve reached the mesa – keep going!
Doe Mountain Hike in Sedona Review
Follow the trail signs to the other side of the mountain, where the views area
Doe Mountain Hike in Sedona Review
Scenery from the summit of Doe Mountain trail in Sedona Arizona

Of course, when you’re ready, just head back down the same way you came. If you’re worried about the scrambling on the way down, it’s much, much easier going down than it was going up.

Doe Mountain Hike in Sedona Review
Scenery from the summit of Doe Mountain trail in Sedona Arizona

Doe Mountain Hike – Sedona Arizona – Final Thoughts

Overall, great, short hike! This hike was a lot of fun, except for maybe the sketchy rock scrambling part up on part of the switchbacks. But I did it — and this is definitely a hike I’d do again. It won’t take you very long and you’ll get some great views up at the mesa. I’ve also heard this is a great spot to watch the hot air balloons go up in the morning on calm days in Sedona – that would be a sight to see!

Best hikes in Sedona Arizona - Doe Mountain guide
Best hikes in Sedona Arizona - Doe Mountain guide
Best hikes in Sedona Arizona - Doe Mountain guide

More About Sedona, Arizona

SEDONA ARIZONA ITINERARY: I created a 3-day itinerary, focused mostly on hiking in Sedona, if you’re looking to figure out what you can do with a long weekend in Sedona.

BEST HIKES IN SEDONA: These are some of the other hikes in Sedona that I’ve written about: Little Horse Trail to Chicken Point, Doe Mountain, Fay Canyon, Devil’s Bridge Trail, and Cathedral Rock.

WHERE TO STAY IN SEDONA: I’ve stayed at (and written about) these hotels in Sedona. Arabella Hotel – Sedona, Arizona, and Desert Quail Inn Hotel.

NEARBY THINGS TO DO IN SEDONA: Looking for a day trip from Sedona? Here are some places I’ve written about that are close enough for a day trip from Sedona: Tuzigoot National Monument, Travel Guide: Montezuma Castle National Monument + Montezuma Well

View all of my Sedona posts here!

More About Arizona

WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO SEE IN ARIZONA: Check out all of the posts on Arizona on this blog here.

US NATIONAL PARK UNITS IN ARIZONA: Did you know Arizona has 22 National Park Service units? I wrote about them all here. Some of my favorite NPS sites in Arizona are Organ Pipe National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument, and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – Flagstaff, Arizona.

OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH ARIZONA: Looking for something else? Here are some lesser-known sites in Arizona that you might want to check out: Abandoned Lisa Frank Warehouse, Fairbank Ghost Town, Agua Caliente Regional Park, and The Abandoned Buckhorn Baths.

ROUTE 66: The famous Route 66 runs through part of Northern Arizona. If you’re thinking of doing a Route 66 road trip, check out my Route 66 tips.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: If you love taking photos when traveling, don’t miss my article on how to Improve your Travel Photos with these 7 Lesser Known Travel Photography Tips

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